Temporary truce in RCA as CP Joshi-Lalit Modi factions agree on draft constitution

Is it thaw or an act of self-preservation? The Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) on Monday adopted in principle the Justice Lodha Committee recommendations during extraordinary general meeting (EGM) although the final draft of the constitution is yet to be approved by the general body.

However, during marathon meeting between RCA President CP Joshi group and the Lalit Modi faction, for the first time there were signs of reconciliation. Both the factions had prepared their own drafts, a third was prepared by members of the factions which include Mehmood Abdi, Sudeep Hora and Bhavani Samota while Dr Bimal Soni worked as facilitator between the two groups.

Joshi, who had to go to Udaipur for Rahul Gandhi’s meeting on September 20, not only agreed to changes in the draft by the Modi faction and wanted as it is passed by the EGM. Joshi was of the view that if there are any changes required that can be done later. However, the Modi faction objected to it saying that the draft still needs some ‘fine-tuning’ and the final draft will only be approved by the general body meeting after those changes.

But the bigger news than both factions agreeing on principle draft was RCA general secretary RS Nandu sitting with Joshi during the entire meeting. It may be recalled that Joshi had suspended Nandu in June, which he challenged and sought its revocation by RCA Ombudsman retired justice Gyan Sudha Misra. Surprisingly, Monday’s meeting was called by Nandu as secretary of the association on the directive of RCA president Joshi.

The other indication of Joshi adopting reconciliatory approach was presence of Pinkesh Porwal, the sacked RCA treasurer, instead of Azad Singh Rathore, who was appointed new treasurer after arbitrator Justice (retd) Shiv Kumar Sharma removed Pinkesh citing his election as illegal.

So, is it a temporary truce for the sake of self-preservation or the RCA, which is known for its infighting, trying to turn a new page? People in the know of cricket say not much should be read in this temporary truce as both factions have irreconcilable differences, but for the time being both have ‘suspended hostilities’. 

Draft needs fine-tuning

Both the factions had prepared their own drafts. Joshi not only agreed to changes in the draft by the Modi faction and wanted as it is passed by the EGM. 
Joshi was of the view that if there are any changes required that can be done later. 
However, the Modi faction objected to it saying that the draft still needs some ‘fine-tuning’ and the final draft will only be approved by the general body meeting after those changes.